Why Was the Ruling Party Leadership Candidate Not Invited to the Official Residence?

Yoo Seung-min, Politically Awkward Relationship
Yoon Sang-hyun, Due to Low Approval Ratings and Recognition?

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Ahead of the March 8 People Power Party leadership election, the ruling party is on high alert regarding the direction of Yunsim (尹心, President Yoon's influence). In particular, President Yoon Seok-yeol's invitation to the Blue House residence is perceived as a guarantee of Yunsim, causing mixed fortunes among the candidates.

It is known that on December 17 last year, President Yoon invited lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun, a candidate for party leadership, to the Blue House residence for a dinner with their spouses. Subsequently, another party leadership candidate, lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, announced on the 4th that he had received an invitation from President Yoon to the Blue House residence with his spouse.

Among the ruling party leadership candidates, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who has the highest support rate in general public opinion polls, reportedly did not receive an invitation to the residence. Although no clear reason has been revealed, it is analyzed that the strained relationship continuing since the last presidential election influenced this.

Former lawmaker Yoo has been issuing messages that confront President Yoon daily. Within the ruling party, criticism has even emerged calling Yoo the "Democratic Party avatar" for his role as an attacker of President Yoon.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The fact that Yoo Seung-min has not been invited to the Blue House residence is also seen as a reflection of the intention not to tolerate Yoo as party leader. The People Power Party’s change of the election system to a "100% party member" vote excluding public opinion polls ahead of the leadership election is not unrelated to this situation.

Lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, who officially declared his candidacy for the leadership election on the 5th, has also not been reported to have received an invitation to the residence. While it is difficult to say he is clearly taking an anti-Yoon (anti-Yoon Seok-yeol) stance, his tone differs from the so-called pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) leadership candidates. Lawmaker Yoon has shown a critical view of flaunting his friendship with President Yoon.

There is also analysis that the reason lawmaker Yoon has not been invited to the residence is due to his relatively low support rate and recognition in public opinion polls. The priority is said to be rising as a strong candidate through an increase in support rate.

Meanwhile, it is rumored in political circles that former lawmaker Na Kyung-won (Vice Chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee), who is leading in party member opinion polls, has received an invitation to the Blue House residence.

However, the fact that former lawmaker Na currently holds a public office is a variable. It is said that President Yoon may find it burdensome to officially endorse former lawmaker Na as a party leadership candidate.